Author: John Verdon
Genre: Thriller, Dave Gurney Series #3
Published: 2012
Personal Rating: 4/5 (very good)
Format: Book
Yearly Count: 68
From the Back Cover of the ARC:
The most decorated homicide detective in NYPD history, Dave Gurney is still trying to adjust to his life of quasi-retirement in upstate New York when a young woman who is producing a documentary on a notorious murder spree seeks his counsel. Soon after, Gurney begins feeling threatened: a razor-sharp hunting arrow lands in his yard, and he narrowly escapes serious injury in a booby-rapped basement. As things grow more bizarre, he finds himself reexamining the Case of the Good Shepherd, which ten years before involved a series of roadside shootings and a range-against-the-rich manifesto. The killings ceased, and a cult of analysis grew up around the case with a consensus opinion that no one would dream of challenging--no one, that is, but Dave Gurney.
Mocked even by some who had been allies in previous investigations, Gurney realizes that the killer is too clever to ever be found. The only gambit that may make sense is also the most dangerous--to make himself a target and get the killer to come to him.
Let the Devil Sleep had the same type of puzzling vibe as the other books Verdon has produced in this series. It contained of a lot of pieces that needed to be twisted and turned to be figured out, then put together to create a full, coherent picture. Verdon is extremely creative in his plotting of puzzles, and I enjoyed how Gurney thinks and executes his thoughts. I was wrapped up in this latest puzzle, and found it to be a very good read.
The main characters are endearing. I loved that Gurney's son played a larger role this time around. I did have two trivial complaints about Madeleine (Gurney's wife), which could be viewed as insignificant or picayune. It seemed as if her major role in this addition was to be cooking (detailed) and wearing brightly colored clothing (not necessarily at the same time). Trivial, but they stood out to me and began to irritate me. Thinking back now, I could name several other scenes where she is doing something else, but for some reason the cooking and clothing bugged me. The clothing was simply mentioned way too many times.
Outside of that, I'm a fan of Verdon and will be delighted when I see the next installment of the Dave Gurney series.
A quote that struck me as oh so true:
"It was surely one of the great ironies of human nature that when our passions most severely disorient us, we are most positive that we see things clearly."
A quote that struck me as oh so true:
"It was surely one of the great ironies of human nature that when our passions most severely disorient us, we are most positive that we see things clearly."
My thanks go to Crown Publishing Group and TLC Book Tours for sending me this ARC.
Wednesday, July 25th: Jenny Loves to Read
Thursday, July 26th: Jen’s Book Thoughts
Monday, July 30th: A Bookworm’s World
Tuesday, July 31st: Sara’s Organized Chaos
Wednesday, August 1st: Life in Review
Thursday, August 2nd: Colloquium
Monday, August 6th: Booklover Book Reviews
Tuesday, August 7th: Stacy’s Books
Wednesday, August 8th: Book Addict Katie
Thursday, August 9th: House of Crime and Mystery
Monday, August 13th: Crime Fiction Lover
Tuesday, August 14th: A Novel Source
Wednesday, August 15th: Book Reviews by Elizabeth A. White
Thursday, August 16th: Bewitched Bookworms
Monday, August 20th: Girls Just Reading
Wednesday, August 22nd: Thoughts of Joy
Monday, August 27th: Musings of a Bookish Kitty
GIVEAWAY GUIDELINES:
* Only residents of the U.S.A. or Canada are eligible to win
* No P.O. boxes, please
Leave a comment and contact information, if you are interested.
Giveaway ends Thursday, August 30. Winner will be posted on Friday, August 31.
It does seem that authors get hung up on some small detail like clothing or food from time to time. Even with that, this book sounds great. I'd love to be entered! kathy(at)bermudaonion.net
ReplyDeleteSo looking forward to reading this one. Not exactly sure when I will get to it, but it's definitely on my list. I'm glad it got good marks from you, Joy. There are lots of good mysteries out right now that I want to read. Bliss!
ReplyDeleteKay ~ Did you read Widow's Might yet? Just curious. :)
DeleteNot yet. I have it though.
DeleteOh yes please! I read the first, have the second and would love the third! nicolama at cogeco dot ca
ReplyDeleteI love a book that requires a bit of effort on the reader's part. Thanks for the giveawananze55 at hotmail dot com
ReplyDeleteI read John Verdon's first two Dave Gurney books and am looking forward to Let the Devil Sleep. I love all the twists and the little details. Of course I try to figure out the mystery but never can! Hope Dave Gurney is around for a long time :)
ReplyDeleteDebbie
Mndeborah@aol.com
Thanks for recommending this. I headed out to the library and got the first in the series...and currently reading it and can't put it down!!!! Love it.
ReplyDeleteDanielle ~ Woo! I thought the first was absolutely excellent. I'm so glad you are loving it. :)
DeleteThanks for being on the tour.
ReplyDeleteGreat review and I do love a mystery, thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDeletecenya2 at hotmail dot com
Ack! I read the first and now I'm falling behind. No need to enter me. I'll get this and the previous one at work or the library. Glad to know the series continues to entertain!
ReplyDeleteLes ~ I'm thrilled that it has been a solid series thus far.
DeleteWith your high rating, I must read this series!!!
ReplyDeleteStaci ~ Yes you must! :)
DeleteI love this series and this latest, but I remember vividly Maedeine's cooking (she did lots of stir fry) and her bright, not matching clothes! Too funny.
ReplyDeleteStacybuckeye ~ Despite those flaws, I'm looking forward to the next!
Delete